The 25% levy transfer is an opportunity for all apprenticeship providers – here’s an example from All Spring Media

Levy paying employers can transfer up to 25% of their apprenticeship allocation to other businesses. But how can this help training providers without a ‘non-levy allocation’ train apprentices at small businesses? And what are the benefits of training an apprentice from an SME in the same group as levy-payers?

An introduction to All Spring Media

All Spring Media specialises in Level 3 Broadcast Production Assistant and Level 3 Junior Content Producer apprenticeship standards. They started delivering apprenticeships to the creative sector in 2010, through subcontracting arrangements. When the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP) was introduced, they successfully applied as a main provider.

Fast forward to 2019 and All Spring Media has an impressive list of levy-paying clients including the BBC, Global Radio, Channel 4, IMG and the Royal Opera House – yet they do not have a ‘non-levy allocation’, so technically can’t deliver to small businesses. Unless of course, it’s through a ‘levy transfer’….

How did you find out you could support SMEs through a levy transfer?

“A small business that creates film and digital content approached us about delivering apprenticeship training for one of their staff, however we thought we were unable to help because we didn’t (and still don’t) have a ‘non-levy allocation’.

“It was an odd situation to be in, we were approved to work with some of the biggest brands in the country yet not able to support businesses that were a more similar size to our own. We spoke to the ESFA about the situation to try and find a solution. They informed us we could support non-levy payers as long as the funds were transferred from a levy-payer’s account.”

Once you knew about the transfer, how did you set things up?

“Because we have a good working relationship with the BBC, we approached the apprenticeship manager about helping a small business train an apprentice alongside the BBC’s next cohort of learners. The BBC trusted our trainers and completely understood that a transfer would be a good way to help more people across the sector receive BBC-quality training. They were happy to support.

“After getting the BBC’s support, all I had to do was send an introductory email between Resource Productions (the SME) and the BBC to arrange the transfer. Resource Production set up their own digital Apprenticeship Service account and received a transfer from the BBC. Within two days, All Spring Media was assigned as the training provider and Lilly added as a learner. It was surprisingly easy!”

How does the training work with Lilly joining the BBC cohort?

“Whilst we visit and on-programme assess our learners in the workplace, we deliver workshops in week-long block release stints from our base in Buckinghamshire. Lilly comes along for those week stints just like the BBC learners.

“They are all working towards the same standard and need to have obtained the same knowledge, skills and behaviours by the end of the programme, so it isn’t difficult to include Lilly in the same learning.”

Does Lilly joining the BBC cohort help the group as a whole?

“Having Lilly as part of the BBC cohort is fantastic for the group dynamic. It gives the BBC learners perspective as to advantages and disadvantages of implementing the same training in a small business setting.

“For example, small businesses don’t have the same budget and often have to be more creative to solve problems. Lilly’s input during the group sessions is an invaluable part of the learning process for everyone, and in years to come, several of the cohort will probably end up working at SMEs themselves.”

What about for Lilly? What does she gain from being part of a levy-payer group?

“Lilly learns about the experience of working at a one of the biggest production companies in the world. She can take that insight back to her day job and it improves her work.

“It’s more than that though. Lilly is making great contacts that she otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to. In the creative sector, it’s the behaviours that are really important. Lilly is receiving the same high-quality training as the BBC learners and proving to the group she has the right attitude to produce content on time and to a high standard again and again. With a combination of new contacts, great attitude and up-to-date skills, who knows where that might lead her in the future.”

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